WindMade to expand into other renewables

WORLDWIDE: WindMade, the Vestas and GWEC-backed consumer standard designed to show products have been made using wind energy, is set to expand into other renewables such as solar and geothermal energy in an effort to drive membership.

Bloomberg US is one of the few major companies to be accredited by WindMade

Speaking to Windpower Monthly, Vestas vice-president marketing Morten Albaek said the aim to expand WindMade into other forms of renewables was set out when it originally launched in January 2010.

WindMade's criteria are based around companies and organisations that sign up to the standard sourcing at least 25% of their electricity consumption through wind energy.

However, despite the launch of the criteria over a year ago, many members including Vestas and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), have yet to be certified as meeting this standard. Albaek said Vestas would be certified in "a month or so", while GWEC admitted it had not applied for certification although it was "looking at it".

It is hoped the decision to expand into other forms of renewables will bring other companies into the fold. The last major company to join was telecoms firm Motorola Mobility last year, since the new member announcements have been limited to small companies and events.

Worse still, besides Vestas, there has been a lack of take up from wind energy manufacturers and developers. Additionally, founding member Vestas is still awaiting its certification.

Albaek said: "We stated very clearly at the outset of this journey we are committed to expanding the label to other renewable technologies, and the organisation is now preparing for the development of a broader renewable energy label that, in addition to wind, will include technologies such as solar and geothermal.

"This label will cater to the needs of organisations with evenly balanced portfolios of renewable energy sources and further accelerate uptake."

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